Device and method for supplying gas while dividing to chamber from gas supplying facility equipped with flow controller

ABSTRACT

The invention supplies a quantity Q of gas while dividing at flow rate ratio Q 1 /Q 2  from a gas supply facility equipped with a flow controller. A total quantity Q=Q 1 +Q 2  of gas is supplied into a chamber at flow rate Q 1  and Q 2  through shower plates fixed to ends of branch supply lines by providing open/close valves with a plurality of branch supply lines GL 1  and GL 2 , respectively, to supply the specified quantity of gas from the gas supply facility, and by utilizing bypass line BL 1  on the downstream side of the open/close valve OV 1  and branched from GL 1 , bypass line BL 2  on the downstream side of the open/close valve OV 2  and branched from GL 2 , pressure type division quantity controller connected to the bypass line BL 1  and the bypass line BL 2 , a sensor measuring pressure inside branch supply line GL 1 , and another sensor measuring pressure inside branch supply line GL 2.

This is a Divisional Application of U.S. Ser. No. 10/561,514, filed Dec. 20, 2005, which is a National Phase Application in the United States of International Patent Application No. PCT/JP2004/008117 filed Jun. 10, 2004, which claims priority on Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-177134, filed Jun. 20, 2003. The entire disclosures of the above patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is to be used for semiconductor manufacturing facilities, and is concerned with improvements in supplying gas while automatically dividing to a chamber from a gas supplying facility equipped with a flow controller.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A device called a pressure type flow controller has been widely used for flow control of gas to be supplied to a chamber of a semiconductor manufacturing facility.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example in the event that processing gas G is supplied into a chamber to form a silicon oxide film using a pressure type flow controller FCS. A specified quantity Q of processing gas G is supplied to a pressure-reduced chamber C by using a vacuum pump Vp, and a quantity Q of processing gas G is discharged to a wafer H on the supporting device I through a gas discharger D.

On the other hand, the afore-mentioned pressure type flow controller FCS utilizes the relation that “when a critical condition P₁>approx. 2×P₂ is maintained, a quantity Q of gas passing through an orifice L is determined only by gas pressure P₁ on the upstream side of the orifice, and is represented by the formula Q=CP₁ (where C is a constant dependent on the bore of the orifice L and gas temperature)”, thus a quantity Q on the downstream side of the orifice L being able to be held at a desired set value by regulating the afore-mentioned pressure P₁ with a control valve CV.

With FIG. 5, P₀ designates supply pressure of processing gas G, Pm a manometer, F a filter, CPU a central processing unit, Qs an input signal for a flow rate setting, and Qe an output signal for control of the flow rate.

A pressure type flow controller itself has been publicly disclosed with the TOKU-KAI-HEI No. 8-338546, the TOKU-KAI-HEI No. 11-63265 and others. Therefore, detailed explanations are omitted herewith.

With the afore-mentioned flow controller FSC, it becomes an essential condition that, as stated above, gas pressure P₁ on the upstream side of the orifice and gas pressure P₂ on the downstream side of the orifice are within the afore-mentioned critical condition. The drawback is that the flow control cannot be performed because the critical expansion pressure condition is not satisfied, for example, when gas pressure P₂ on the downstream side of the orifice rises more than gas pressure P₁ on the upstream side of the orifice.

Another drawback is that flow control accuracy is lowered in reality when P₁/P₂ reaches closer the limit value of the afore-mentioned critical pressure condition with the rise of pressure P₂ on the downstream side of the orifice. Thus limiting the flow control range capable of being used when pressure P₂ on the downstream side rises.

As above, various drawbacks are seen with the control of the gas flow rate by the pressure type flow controller when pressure P₂ on the downstream side of the orifice L rises. However, the gas supply method to a chamber by using the said pressure type flow controller FCS allows the gas flow control with the high degree of accuracy easily to be performed, and makes it possible that a pressure regulating device with the high degree of accuracy at the gas supply source is not required to be provided, thus allowing considerable reductions of the costs in a gas supply facility, to achieve excellent, practical effects.

On the other hand, a silicon wafer with a larger external diameter has been used for semiconductor manufacturing in recent years. In the case of the wafer H with an external diameter of 300 mm φ, for example, there are required separate adjustments for supply quantities of processing gas to the center part and the peripheral (edge) part respectively.

As a measure to handle the matter, processing gas can be supplied to the afore-mentioned center part and edge part respectively by providing separate branch supply lines GL₁ and GL₂ as shown in FIG. 6, thus being able to supply processing gas G without any difficulties from a gas supply source S with specified quantities Q₁ and Q₂ even with gas supply lines GL₁ and GL₂ wherewith a pressure type flow controller FCS.

However, to supply gas using gas supply lines GL₁ and GL₂ both of which are equipped with a pressure type flow controller FCS₁ and FCS₂ independently into a chamber invites a rise in installation costs as well as upsizing of a semiconductor manufacturing facility, and is also found to be time-consuming for its maintenance. For these reasons, the method is undesirable.

To solve these problem, as shown in FIG. 7, it is found desirable that the method wherewith flow rate Q₁ and Q₂ of branch gas supply lines GL₁ and GL₂ are controlled by branching two gas supply lines GL₁ and GL₂ from a pressure type flow controller FCS and regulating, and regulating flow rate control valves V₁ and V₂ equipped with the gas supply lines GL₁ and GL₂ respectively is employed.

Among the general-purpose pressure type flow controllers FCS for a gas supply facility presently used, ones with flow rate control characteristics capable of being used within the range of 0˜100 Torr of pressure P₂ on the downstream side of the orifice under optimum conditions have been widely employed in general. Accordingly, with these pressure type flow controllers FCS, the flow rate control range is considerably limited when pressure P₂ on the downstream side of the orifice exceeds approximately 100 Torr, as described above, from the point of flow rate accuracy.

For example, let's assume that processing gas G of a flow rate Q=300 SCCM is to be supplied to a chamber C through supply lines GL₁ and GL₂ at flow rates of Q₁=130 SCCM and Q₂=170 SCCM in FIG. 7. With a gas supply facility not equipped with a pressure type flow controller FCS, firstly flow rate control valves V₁ and V₂ are closed, and next, the flow rate of processing gas is set to Q=300 SCCM, and then flow rates Q₁ and Q₂ can be adjusted to the set value by regulating the degree of opening of control valves V₁ and V₂ automatically or with reference of a flow meter (not illustrated).

However, in the event that a pressure type flow controller FCS is used for a flow controller of the gas supply facility as illustrated in FIG. 7, both control valves V₁ and V₂ are first placed in a state of being fully closed, and a flow rate Q (300 SCCM) of the pressure type flow controller FCS is set. Then, the degree of opening of both control valves V₁ and V₂ are adjusted to the flow rate Q₁ (130 SCCM) and Q₂ (170 SCCM) for branch supply lines GL₁ and GL₂. This, however, finds it difficult to control the flow rates accurately and quickly.

The reasons are that there is a possibility that the values of P₁/P₂ are out of the threshold value of critical pressure conditions of the afore-mentioned pressure type flow controller FCS due to the rise of pressure P₂ on the upstream side of both control valves V₁ and V₂ when opening of V₁ and V₂ are small, thus resulting in that the control flow rate Q with the pressure type flow controller FCS becomes vastly different from the set flow rate of Q=300 SCCM.

To solve the afore-mentioned difficulties, inventors of the present invention have applied for a patent, the TOKU-GAN-HEI No. 2002-161086 by developing a method to supply gas while dividing gas into a chamber from a gas supply facility.

This is a completely new idea of switching from the conventional and well-worn method wherewith gas from a gas supply facility is supplied while dividing for being controlled, that is, flow rate control valves V₁ and V₂ provided with branch supply lines are put in a state of fully or near-fully closing, and then, both flow rate control valves V₁ and V₂ are gradually opened, while with the new method both flow rate control valves V₁ and V₂ are made to be in a state of fully or near-fully opening, and then, both flow rate control valves V₁ and V₂ are regulated to the direction of closing step by step for the opening adjustment, thus making it possible that while a total flow quantity Q is controlled at the high degree of accuracy with the pressure type flow controller FCS, flow rates Q₁ and Q₂ are controlled by the pressure type division quantity controllers FV₁ and FV₂ provided with branch supply lines GL₁ and GL₂ at a desired flow rate ratio Q₁/Q₂ accurately and quickly.

With the method, there will be no possibility that pressure P₂ on the downstream side of the orifice of the pressure type flow controller FCS rises sharply at the time of being divided even with processing gas from a gas supply facility provided with a pressure type flow controller FCS, thus making it possible that the total quantity Q is accurately controlled at a desired flow rate value Q regardless of the flow control while dividing by means of a pressure type division quantity controllers FV₁ and FV₂. Accordingly, excellent characteristics of a pressure type flow controller FCS can be utilized, thus making it possible that the flow division control while dividing is performed accurately and quickly, and also with a plurality of flow rate ratios Q₂/Q₁.

As stated above, the method employed in the TOKU-GAN-HEI No. 2002-161086 made it possible that flow rates Q₁ and Q₂ of branch supply lines GL₁ and GL₂ are regulated at a desired flow rate ratio Q₁/Q₂ accurately and quickly. However, on the other hand, the method made the control complicated because it employed two pressure type division quantity controllers FV₁ and FV₂ beside a pressure type flow controller FCS for regulating pressure on both sides, thus inviting another problem of facility costs becoming higher.

-   Patent Literature 1: TOKU-KAI-HEI No. 8-338546 Public Bulletin -   Patent Literature 2: TOKU-KAI-HEI No. 11-632656 Public Bulletin

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Object of the Invention

It is an object of the present invention to solve a problem that, with a conventional method wherewith gas is supplied while dividing to a chamber from a gas supply facility as illustrated in FIG. 7, flow rate control accuracy is lowered when critical pressure conditions are out of a threshold values due to that pressure P₂ on the upstream side of control valves V₁ and V₂ rises in the event that the degree of opening of control valves V₁ and V₂ are small.

It is also another object of the present invention to solve a problem that, with techniques newly developed with the TOKU-GAN-HEI No. 2002-161086, two pressure type division quantity controllers FV₁ and FV₂ are required beside a pressure type flow controller FCS, thus inviting high facility costs and making flow control complicated.

Means to Achieve the Objects

To solve the afore-mentioned problems, inventors of the present invention have developed a device and a method, simply structured and manufactured at low costs, for supplying gas while dividing to a chamber from a gas supply facility accurately and quickly.

The present invention in accordance with a first apparatus embodiment is fundamentally so constituted that, with a device for supplying a specified quantity Q of gas G while dividing at a specified flow rate ratio Q₁/Q₂ from a gas supply facility 1 provided with a flow controller QCS into a chamber C through a plurality of branch supply lines GL₁ and GL₂ and shower plates 3 and 4 fixed to the ends thereof, open/close valves OV₁ and OV₂ are provided with an afore-mentioned plurality of branch supply lines GL₁ and GL₂ respectively, and also a bypass line BL₁ on the downstream side of an open/close valve OV₁ and branched from the branch supply line GL₁, a bypass line BL₂ on the downstream side of an open/close valve OV₂ and branched from the branch supply line GL₂, a pressure type division quantity controller FV connected to the afore-mentioned bypass lines BL₁ and BL₂, a pressure sensor PS₁ to measure pressure inside the branch supply line GL₁, and a pressure sensor PS₂ to measure pressure inside the branch supply line GL₂ are provided.

The present invention, in accordance with a second apparatus embodiment, further modifies the first apparatus embodiment and is fundamentally so constituted that a control device CT to regulate the degree of opening of a pressure type division quantity controller FV is provided to reduce the difference between actual pressure of the branch supply line and set pressure to reach the specified flow rate ratio Q₁/Q₂ by comparing either one of set pressure PI₁ or PI₂ of the branch supply lines GL₁ and GL₂ to reach the specified flow rate ratio Q₁/Q₂ with corresponding actual pressure PT₁ or PT₂ of the branch supply lines GL₁ or GL₂ measured by the pressure sensor PS₁ or the pressure sensor PS₂.

The present invention, in accordance with a third apparatus embodiment, further modifies the first apparatus embodiment and the second apparatus embodiment and is fundamentally so constituted that an open/close valve OV₁ and an open/close valve OV₂ are pneumatically operated, and a switch valve SV is provided for supplying actuating air to the open/close valve OV₁ and the open/close valve OV₂.

The present invention, in accordance with a fourth apparatus embodiment, further modifies the first apparatus embodiment, the second apparatus embodiment and the third apparatus embodiment and is fundamentally so constituted that an open/close valve OV₁ and an open/close valve OV₂ are made to be integrated.

The present invention, in accordance with a fifth apparatus embodiment, further modifies the first apparatus embodiment, the second apparatus embodiment, the third apparatus embodiment and the fourth apparatus embodiment and is fundamentally so constituted that a pressure type flow controller FCS is used for a flow controller QCS.

The present invention, in accordance with a first method embodiment, is fundamentally so constituted that, with a method for supplying a specified quantity Q of gas G while dividing at a specified flow rate ratio Q₁/Q₂ from a gas supply facility 1 provided with a flow controller QCS into a chamber C through a plurality of branch supply lines GL₁ and GL₂ and shower plates 3 and 4 fixed to the ends thereof, open/close valves OV₁ and OV₂ are installed on an afore-mentioned plurality of branch supply lines GL₁ and GL₂ respectively, and also a bypass line BL₁ on the downstream side of an open/close valve OV₁ and branched from the branch supply line GL₁, a bypass line BL₂ on the downstream side of an open/close valve OV₂ and branched from the branch supply line GL₂, a pressure type division quantity controller FV connected to the afore-mentioned bypass lines BL₁ and BL₂, and further a pressure sensor PS₁ to measure pressure inside the branch supply line GL₁, and a pressure sensor PS₂ to measure pressure inside the branch supply line GL₂ are provided so that a total quantity Q=Q₁+Q₂ of gas is supplied while dividing into a chamber C at desired division quantities Q₁ and Q₂ by opening the open/close valve of the branch supply line which has a larger flow rate to regulate the degree of opening of the afore-mentioned pressure type division quantity controller FV, and adjusting the flow rate of the branch supply line which has the larger flow rate to the branch supply line which has the smaller flow rate, thus regulating pressure in the branch supply line GL₁ and the branch supply line GL₂.

The present invention, in accordance with a second method embodiment, further modifies the first method embodiment and is so practiced that the degree of opening of a pressure type division quantity controller FV is regulated to reduce the difference between actual pressure of a branch supply line and set pressure to reach a specified flow rate ratio Q₁/Q₂ by comparing either one of set pressure PI₁ or PI₂ of branch supply lines GL₁ and GL₂ to reach the specified flow rate ratio Q₁/Q₂ with corresponding actual pressure PT₁ or PT₂ of the branch supply lines GL₁ and GL₂ measured by the pressure sensor PS₁ or the pressure sensor PS₂.

The present invention, in accordance with a third apparatus embodiment, further modifies the first method embodiment and the second method embodiment and is so practiced that an open/close valve OV₁ and an open/close valve OV₂ are pneumatically operated, and a switch valve SV is provided for supplying actuating air to the open/close valve OV₁ and the open/close valve OV₂ so that the open/close valve of the branch supply line with the larger supply quantity is made open by the switch valve SV.

The present invention, in accordance with a fourth method embodiment, further modifies the first method embodiment, the second method embodiment and the third method embodiment and is so practiced that a pressure type flow controller is used for a flow controller QCS.

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a device for supplying gas while dividing to a chamber from a gas supply facility equipped with a flow controller which is so constituted that, with a device for supplying a specified quantity Q of processing gas while dividing at a specified flow rate ratio Q₂/Q₁ from a gas supply facility 1 equipped with a flow controller QCS into a chamber C through a plurality of branch supply lines GL₁ and GL₂ and shower plates 3 and 4 fixed to the ends thereof, a division quantity controller 2 comprising an open/close valves OV₁ and OV₂ installed on an afore-mentioned plurality of branch supply lines GL₁ and GL₂ respectively, a bypass line BL₁ branched from a branch supply line GL₁ on the downstream side of the open/close valve OV₁, a bypass line BL₂ branched from a branch supply line GL₂ on the downstream side of the open/close valve OV₂, a pressure type division quantity controller FV connected to the bypass line BL₁ and the bypass line BL₂, a pressure sensor PS₁ to measure pressure inside the branch supply line GL₁, and a pressure sensor PS₂ to measure pressure inside the branch supply line GL₂ is installed between the afore-mentioned gas supply facility 1 and a chamber C so that a specified quantity Q of gas is supplied while dividing into the chamber at a specified flow rate ratio Q₁/Q₂ through shower plates 3 and 4 fixed to the ends of branch supply lines GL₁ and GL₂.

As a result, pressure control on a number of flow rate ratios Q₂/Q₁ becomes possible accurately and quickly with the pressure type division quantity controller, thus achieving an excellent effect of making facility costs lowered.

The present invention provides a method for supplying gas while dividing to a chamber from a gas supply facility equipped with a flow controller characterized by that, with a method for supplying a specified quantity Q of processing gas while dividing at a specified flow rate ratio Q₁/Q₂ from a gas supply facility 1 equipped with a flow controller QCS into a chamber through a plurality of branch supply lines GL₁ and GL₂ and shower plates 3 and 4 fixed to the ends thereof, a division quantity controller 2 comprising an open/close valves OV₁ and OV₂ installed on an afore-mentioned plurality of branch supply lines GL₁ and GL₂ respectively, a bypass line BL₁ branched from a branch supply line GL₁ on the downstream side of the open/close valve OV₁, bypass line BL₂ branched from a branch supply line GL₂, a pressure type division quantity controller FV connected to the bypass line BL₁ and the bypass line BL₂, a pressure sensor PS₁ to measure pressure inside the branch supply line GL₁, and a pressure sensor PS₂ to measure pressure inside the branch supply line GL₂ is installed between the afore-mentioned gas supply facility 1 and a chamber C, and also that a total quantity Q=Q₁+Q₂ of gas while dividing is supplied into the afore-mentioned chamber C at desired flow rates Q₁ and Q₂ by regulating pressure of the branch supply line GL₁ and the branch supply line GL₂ by opening the open/close valve of a branch supply line having a larger flow, to adjust the degree of opening of the afore-mentioned pressure type division quantity controller FV, thus adjusting a flow rate of gas running from a branch supply line having a larger flow rate of supply to a branch supply line having a smaller flow rate of supply, to regulate pressure of the branch supply line GL₁ and the branch supply line GL₂.

As a result, pressure control on a number of flow rate ratios Q₂/Q₁ can be performed accurately and quickly with one set of pressure type division quantity controller, thus achieving excellent effects of making facility costs lowered and pressure control easier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic diagram to explain a device and a method for supplying gas while dividing to a chamber from a gas supply facility equipped with a flow controller according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a basic block diagram of a pressure type division quantity controller FV.

FIG. 3 is lines (computed values) to illustrate the relations between set pressure (PI₁ and PI₂) and a division flow rate ratio Q₂/Q₁ in the event that shower plated 3 and 4 to be used are made to be a Patter 1 with supply while dividing in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is lines (computed values) to illustrate the same relations in the event that shower plates 3 and 4 to be used are made to be a Pattern 2 as with FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory drawing to show a method for supplying processing gas to a chamber by using a conventional pressure type flow controller FCS.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory drawing to show the case wherein processing gas is supplied to a chamber C from a single gas supply source S by using a plurality of pressure type flow controllers.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory drawing to show the case wherein processing gas is supplied to a chamber C from a gas supply source equipped with a pressure type flow controller by using control valves.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS AND NUMERALS

BL₁·BL₂ Bypass lines

C Chamber

D Gas discharger

Dc Gas discharger for the center part

De Gas discharger for the edge part

FV Pressure type division quantity controller

GL₁ Branch supply line for the center part

GL₂ Branch supply line for the edge part

OV₁·OV₂ Open/close valves

PT₁·PT₂ Pressure in branch supply lines

P Pressure inside a chamber

PS₁·PS₂ Pressure sensors of branch supply lines

QCS Flow controller

SV Electric switch valve

1 Gas supply facility

2 Division quantity controller

3 Shower plate of a gas discharger for the center part

3 a Orifice hole made in a shower plate

4 Shower plate of a gas discharger for the edge part

4 a Orifice hole made in a shower plate

BEST MODE TO CARRY OUT THE INVENTION

The embodiment in accordance with the present invention is described hereunder with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic diagram to explain a device and a method for supplying gas while dividing to a chamber from a gas supply facility equipped with a flow controller QCS according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, a gas supply facility 1 comprises a supply source S of processing gas G, a gas main valve VO, a flow controller QCS and the like. A division quantity controller 2 comprises a pressure type division quantity controller FV, a communication control circuit CT and the like.

Further, in FIG. 1, C designates a chamber, D a gas discharger, Dc a gas discharger for the center part, De a gas discharger for the edge part, GL₁ a branch supply line for the center part, GL₂ a branch supply line for the edge part, Q a total quantity of gas, Q₁·Q₂ flow rates while dividing, PT₁·PT₂ pressure in branch supply lines GL₁ and GL₂, P₃ pressure inside a chamber C, PS₁·PS₂ pressure sensors of branch supply lines GL₁ and GL₂, 3 a shower plate of a gas discharger Dc for the center part, 3 a an orifice hole made on the shower plate, 4 shower plate of a gas discharger De for the edge part, and 4 a an orifice hole made on the shower plate.

In addition, in FIG. 1, EL₁·EL₂ designate signal connection lines of a communication control circuit CT with pressure sensors PS₁ and PS₂, EL₃ a signal connection line of a communication control circuit with an electric switch valve SV, and T₁ a power source/signal input terminal.

The afore-mentioned gas supply facility 1 comprises a processing gas supply source S, a plurality of flow controllers QCS and the like. Any type flow controllers QCS can be employed as a flow controller QCS as long as it functions accurately and quickly. A pressure type flow controller FCS illustrated in the afore-shown FIG. 5 has been used herewith for a flow controller QCS. When a specified flow rate setting signal Qs is inputted to a control unit (CPU), pressure P₁ on the upstream side of an orifice L is regulated by a control valve CV so that a flow rate Q on the downstream side is automatically adjusted to the set flow rate Qs.

Also, a control flow rate output signal Qe corresponding to the adjusted flow rate is outputted from the control unit (CPU). If it is found that the deviation between the flow rate setting input signal Qs and the afore-mentioned control flow rate setting signal Qe exceeds the prescribed time, an input/output deviation abnormality signal is transmitted from the CPU (not illustrated in FIG. 5) as stated later.

The afore-mentioned division quantity controller 2 comprises a plural number of open/close valves OV₁ and OV₂, a pressure type division quantity controller FV, a communication control circuit CT to control these, an electric switch valve SV for opening and closing of OV₁ and OV₂, orifice plates 3 and 4 connected to the ends of branch supply lines, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 2, the afore-mentioned pressure type division quantity controller comprises a control valve CV, a driving control part (CPU) for the control valve CV and the like, to regulate the degree of opening of the control valve CV through the mediation of the driving unit part (CPU) with the control signal inputted CT through the line EL₃ from the communication circuit CT.

With the embodiment in FIG. 2, a piezo-driving stroke amplification type metal diaphragm valve is employed for a control valve CV of the afore-mentioned pressure type division quantity controller FV so that it is easily adaptable even when the flow rates Q₁ and Q₂ are large.

When processing gas G is supplied into a chamber C through orifice holes 3 a and 4 a made on shower plates 3 and 4 respectively, division quantities Q₁ and Q₂ can be controlled, as in the case of the orifice of a flow controller QCS, that is, a division quantity Q₁ is controlled with a formula Q₁=C₁PI₁ by adjusting PI₁ if the relationships PI₁>2PI₃ are maintained between pressure P₃ inside a chamber C and pressure PI₁ on the upstream side of the orifice hole 3 a of the orifice plate 3 for the center part.

Similarly, a division quantity Q₂ is controlled with a formula Q₂=C₂PI₂ by PI₂ if the relationships PI_(2>2)PI₃ are maintained between pressure P₃ inside a chamber C and pressure PI₂ on the upstream side of the orifice hole 4 a of the shower plate 4 for the edge part, (where C₁ and C₂ are constants dependent on the cross-sectional areas of the orifice holes 3 a and 4 a, their shapes or gas temperature).

Referring to FIG. 1, the afore-mentioned communication control circuit CT is provided with a power source/signal input terminal T₁, and connected to a pressure type division quantity controller FV and an electric switch valve through the mediation of signal connection lines EL₃ and EL₄.

An open/close valve OV is pneumatically operated. It is of a normal open type wherewith it is open under a state of driving air not being supplied, but both open/close valves OV₁ and OV₂ are normally being closed when a division quantity controller 2 is in a state of halting.

When a starting signal, a total flow quantity Q, a desire flow rate ratio Q₂/Q₁, a combination pattern of shower plates 3 and 4 and the like are inputted through the mediation of the power source/signal input terminal T₁, a communication control circuit CT makes the branch supply line with pressure set low out of set pressure PI₁ and PI₂ a subject-to-control branch supply line, while the remaining branch supply line a non-subject-to-control branch supply line as patterns of set pressure ratio PI₂/PI₁ shown in Table 1.

A communication control circuit CT opens an open/close valve of the non-subject-to-control branch supply line while it closes an open/close valve of the subject-to-control branch supply line.

Further, a communication control circuit CT determines values Q₁ and Q₂ with given total flow quantity Q and flow rate ratio.

TABLE 1 Set Pressure Ratio - Subject-to-control • Open/close valves operation command Open/close valve Set pressure operation command ratio PI₂/PI₁ Subject-to-control OV₁ OV₂ >1 PI₁ Close Open =1 NONE Open Open <1 PI₂ Open Close

By inputting a specified signal to the communication control circuit CT, pressure PT on the subject-to-control branch supply line side is regulated with the pressure type quantity controller FV.

Namely, a communication control circuit Ct starts comparing set values with actual pressure by the pressure signal measured and transmitted by a pressure sensor PS of the subject-to-control branch supply line, and a signal is transmitted to regulate the degree of opening of the division quantity controller FV so that the difference is reduced. Concretely, in the event that it is found with the comparison results that actual pressure is lower than set pressure, the degree of opening of the division quantity controller FV is made wider to raise pressure PT of the subject-to-control branch supply line. When the results of the comparison are found to be reverse, that is, actual pressure is higher than set pressure, the degree of opening of the division quantity controller FV is made narrower to lower pressure PT of the subject-to-control branch supply line.

Set pressure is determined beforehand by computation of the relationships of supply flow rates of shower plates with pressure.

The set pressure ratio is determined from the results of the computation based on the flow rate ratio Q₂/Q₁ supplied to branch supply lines GL₁ and GL₂ as shown in Table 2 and Table 3.

TABLE 2 [Set pressure ratio/Subject-to-control division quantity/Open/close valve operation command] to flow rate ratios PATTERN 1 Open/close valve Flow rate Set pressure Subject-to-control operation command ratio Q₂/Q₁ ratio PI₂/PI₁ division flow quantity OV₁ OV₂ 4/1 2.079 > 1 PI₁ Close Open 3/1 1.795 > 1 PI₁ Close Open 2/1 1.473 > 1 PI₁ Close Open 1/1 1.041 > 1 PI₁ Close Open 1/2 0.736 < 1 PI₂ Open Close 1/3 0.601 < 1 PI₂ Open Close 1/4 0.520 < 1 PI₂ Open Close

TABLE 3 [Set pressure ratio/Subject-to-control division quantity/Open/close valve operation command] to flow rate ratios PATTERN 2 Open/close valve Flow rate Set pressure Subject-to-control operation command ratio Q₂/Q₁ ratio PI₂/PI₁ division flow quantity OV₁ OV₂ 4/1 2.008 > 1 PI₁ Close Open 3/1 1.795 > 1 PI₁ Close Open 2/1 1.473 > 1 PI₁ Close Open 1/1 1.041 > 1 PI₁ Close Open 1/2 0.736 < 1 PI₂ Open Close 1/3 0.601 < 1 PI₂ Open Close 1/4 0.520 < 1 PI₂ Open Close

With the present embodiment, for shower plates (orifice plates) 3 and 4 of gas dischargers Dc and De, two sets of shower plate, that is, Dc₁ having 420 orifice holes 3 a and Dc₂ having 480 orifice holes 3 a are ready for the afore-mentioned shower plate 3 for the center part, and similarly another two sets of shower plate, that is, De₁ having 360 orifice holes 4 a and De₂ having 476 orifice holes 4 a are also ready for the shower plate 4 for the edge part.

Furthermore, the afore-mentioned flow rate ratio Q₂/Q₁ can be set at 1/1, 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 2/1, 3/1 or 4/1. Set pressure computed on this (or set pressure specified by the gas supply chamber side) and set pressure ratio are inputted to the input terminal T1.

As described later, set pressure and set pressure ratio listed in the above-shown Table 2 and Table 3 are determined by computing set pressure PI₁ and PI₂ on the upstream side of orifice holes 3 a and 4 a required to discharge the afore-mentioned specified flow quantities Q₁ and Q₂ of gas G judging with the bore sizes and numbers of orifice holes 3 a and 4 a of the shower plates 3 and 4 to be connected to the ends of branch gas supply lines. Further, it shows the ratio PI₂/PI₁ determined by computing with necessary set pressure PI₂ ad PI₁ on the upstream side obtained from the computation.

For combinations of the afore-mentioned shower plates 3 and 4, there are chosen beforehand a combination (hereinafter called Pattern !) of a shower plate 3 having 420 orifice holes 3 a and a shower plate 4 having 360 orifice holes 4 a, and combination (hereinafter called Pattern 2) of a shower plate 3 having 480 orifice holes 3 a and a shower plate 4 having 476 orifice holes 4 a.

The relationship of the afore-mentioned division flow rates Q₁ and Q₂ and pressure PI₁ and PI₂ are formulated by using the following equations of conductance.

That is, the flow rate Q of gas passing through a pipe is expressed by Q=C×(P₁−P₂) . . . (1) and C=182×D₄×(P₁+P₂)/2×1/L . . . (2), where C represents a conductance (L/sec), D the diameter of a pipe (cm), L the length of a pipe (cm), P₁ upstream pressure of a pipe (Torr), P₂ downstream pressure of a pipe (Torr) and Q a flow rate (Torr·L/sec).

With the above equations (1) and (2), internal pressure (PI₁ and PI₂) on the upstream side of a shower plate is computed by using the outer diameter of the orifice hole of the shower plate as D, the length of the orifice hole of the shower plate as L, the internal pressure of a chamber (P₃=0.015 Torr) as downstream side pressure P₂, and a flow rate per a orifice hole as a flow rate Q respectively.

FIG. 3 is numerical values shown as a graph illustrating the relationships, in the event (Pattern 1) that a shower plate 3 of the gas discharger Dc for the center part having 420 orifice holes with an internal diameter of 0.2 mm φ and a shower plate 4 of the gas discharger De for the edge part having 360 orifice holes with an internal diameter of 0.2 mm φ are combined, of a total flow rate (a whole flow rate) Q, control pressure PT₁ for the center part and control pressure PT₂ for the edge part are computed making a flow rate ratio (E/C=Q₂/Q₁) as a parameter. For example, in case of Q=1600, 1200, 800, 400 and 100 SCCM at Q₂/Q₁=1, the mean value of the ratio PI₁₂/PI₁ of control pressure PI₂ on the edge part side and control pressure PI₁ on the center part side becomes 1.041.

Similarly, FIG. 4 is numerical values shown as a graph in the event (Pattern 2) that a shower plate 3 for a gas discharger Dc for the center part having 480 orifice holes with an internal diameter of 0.2 mm φ and a shower plate 4 for a gas discharger De for the edge part having 476 orifice holes with an internal diameter are combined. For example, in case of Q=1600, 1200, 800, 400 and 100 SCCM at Q₂/Q₁, the mean value of the ratio PI₂/PI₁ of control pressure PI₂ on the edge part side and control pressure PI₁ on the center part side becomes 1.001.

Table 2 and Table 3 illustrate all computed values that show the relationships of the flow rate ratio Q₂/Q₁ and the ratio PI₂/PI₁ of control pressure PI₂ on the edge part side and control pressure PI₁ on the center part side with Patter 1 and Pattern 2 shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. For example, FIG. 3 shows that the ratio PI₂/PI₁ of control pressure PI₂ on the edge part side and control pressure PI₁ on the center part side becomes mathematically 1.041 in case that combination of shower plates 3 and 4 to be used is made to be Pattern 1, and that the flow rate ratio Q₂/Q₁ is 1.

A method for supplying gas while dividing to a chamber according to the present invention is explained hereafter. Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, both open/close valves OV₁ and OV₂ are fully closed in case that a starting signal is not inputted to a communication control circuit CT.

To supply a total quantity Q of gas while dividing at a specified ratio Q₂/Q₁ (for example, Q₂/Q₁=1/2), a total flow quantity Q, a combination pattern of shower plates 3 and 4 of gas dischargers Dc and De connected to the ends of branch supply lines GL₁ and GL₂, and a desired flow rate ratio Q₂/Q₁ are inputted to a communication control circuit CT. A control pressure ratio PI₂/PI₁ corresponding to shower plates 3 and 4 and a flow rate ratio Q₂/Q₁ is inputted as a set signal.

Next, a subject-to-control flow while dividing and a non-subject-to-control flow while dividing are determined by a communication control circuit CT based on given total quantity Q, a flow rate ratio Q₂/Q₁ and set pressure PI₁ and PI₂. Then an open/close valve OV of a non-subject-to-control branch supply line is opened, while an open/close valve OV of a non-subject-to-control branch supply line is closed.

For example, upon receiving a signal indicating t total flow rate Q of 1200 SCCM, Pattern 1 of combination patterns of shower plate 3 and 4, a branch flow rate ratio Q₂/Q₁=1/2, set pressure PI₁ and set pressure PI₂, a communication control circuit CT determines a branch supply line GL₁ corresponding to PI₁ which set pressure is set lower out of set pressure PI₁ and PI₂ to be a subject-to-control branch supply line, while a remaining branch supply line GL₂ to be a non-subject-to-control branch supply line.

Am open/close valve OV₂ of the non-subject-to-control branch supply line GL₂ is opened, while an open/close valve OV₁ of the subject-to-control branch supply line GL₁ is closed by the communication control circuit CT.

The communication control circuit CT compares set pressure PI₁ with actual pressure PT₁ by the pressure signal measured and transmitted by the pressure sensor PS₁ of the subject-to-control branch supply line GL₁.

The communication control circuit CT compares set pressure PI₁ of a subject-to-control branch supply line GL₁ with actual pressure PT₁, to transmit a signal to regulate the degree of opening of a division quantity controller FV to reduce the difference.

Namely, in the event that comparison results found that actual pressure PT₁ is lower than set pressure PI₁ the degree of opening of the division quantity controller FV is made wider to raise pressure of the subject-to-control branch supply line PL₁. With the reverse results that actual pressure PT₁ is higher than set pressure PI₁, the degree of opening of the division quantity controller FV is made narrower to lower pressure of the subject-to-control branch supply line PL₁.

With the communication control circuit CT, set pressure PI₁ of the subject-to-control branch supply line GL₁ and actual pressure are compared. When there is found no difference, or the difference is converged on the range of difference set in advance, the degree of opening of the division quantity controller FV is maintained, thus an automatic flow division control being completed.

Namely, a specified quantity Q of raw gas G from a gas supply source S is supplied to a wafer H into a chamber C through gas dischargers Dc and De while dividing at a specified floe rate ratio Q₁/Q₂.

Also, with the communication control circuit CT, set pressure PI₁ and actual pressure PT₁ are compared. When there is found no difference, or the difference is converged on the range of difference set in advance, the degree of opening of the division quantity controller FV is maintained, thus an automatic flow division control being completed. However, in the event that actual pressure PT₁ fluctuates due to temperature changes or any other reasons, and the difference with set pressure PI₁ comes to exceed the difference set in advance, a communication control circuit restarts to regulate the degree of opening of the division quantity controller FV.

With the embodiment, it is so constituted that a starting signal, a total flow quantity Q, a desired flow rate ratio Q₂/Q₁, combination patterns of shower plates 3 and 4, set pressure PI₁ and PI₂ and the like are inputted to a communication control circuit CT through a power source/signal input terminal. However, it can be so constituted that a communication control circuit CT determines a subject-to-control branch supply line and it set pressure from the signals of the afore-mentioned total flow quantity Q, a flow rate ratio Q₂/Q₁ and the like and the data computed in advance.

Feasibility of Industrial Use

The present invention can be applied to facilities wherewith fluids are supplied while dividing under critical pressure conditions. For example, it can be utilized with a chamber in semiconductor manufacturing facilities or with a camber in facilities for manufacturing chemical or pharmaceutical products. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for supplying gas while dividing to a chamber from a gas supply facility equipped with a flow controller, the method comprising the steps of: supplying a specified quantity Q of gas, while dividing at a specified flow rate ratio Ql/Q2 from a gas supply facility provided with a flow controller, into a chamber through a plurality of branch supply lines including a first branch supply line and a second branch supply line and shower plates are fixed to ends thereof, wherein a first open/close valve and a second open/close valve are installed on the first branch supply line and on the second branch supply line, respectively, a first bypass line is disposed on a downstream side of the first open/close valve and is branched from the first branch supply line and a second bypass line is disposed on a downstream side of the second open/close valve and is branched from the second branch supply line, a pressure type division quantity controller is connected to the first bypass line and to the second bypass line, a first pressure sensor is disposed to measure pressure inside the first branch supply line and a second pressure sensor is disposed to measure pressure inside the second branch supply line GL2 so that a total quantity Q=Q1+Q2 of gas is supplied, while dividing, into a chamber at desired division quantities Q1 and Q2 by opening the open/close valve of whichever one of the first branch supply line and the second branch supply line has a larger flow rate to regulate a degree of opening of the pressure type division quantity controller FV; and adjusting flow rate of the one branch supply line that has the larger flow rate to the flow rate of the other branch supply line that has the smaller flow rate, thus regulating pressure in the first branch supply line and the second branch supply line, wherein Q1 and Q2 are specified quantities of gas supplied to the first branch supply line and the second branch supply line, respectively.
 2. A method for supplying gas while dividing to a chamber from a gas supply facility equipped with a flow controller as claimed in claim 1, wherein the degree of opening of the pressure type division quantity controller is regulated to reduce a difference between actual pressure of a branch supply line and set pressure to reach the specified flow rate ratio Q1/Q2 by comparing either one of a first set pressure or a second set pressure, respectively, of the first branch supply line and the second branch supply line to reach the specified flow rate ratio Q1/Q2 with corresponding first actual pressure or second actual pressure of the first branch supply line and the second branch supply line measured by the first pressure sensor or the second pressure sensor.
 3. A method for supplying gas while dividing to a chamber from a gas supply facility equipped with a flow controller as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first open/close valve and the second open/close valve are pneumatically operated, and a switch valve is disposed to supply actuating air to the first open/close valve and the second open/close valve so that the open/close valve of the one branch supply line with the larger supply quantity is opened by the switch valve.
 4. A method for supplying gas while dividing to a chamber from a gas supply facility equipped a flow controller as claimed in claim 2, wherein a pressure type flow controller is used for the flow controller.
 5. A method for supplying gas while dividing to a chamber from a gas supply facility equipped with a flow controller as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first open/close valve and the second open/close valve are pneumatically operated, and a switch valve is disposed to supply actuating air to the first open/close valve and the second open/close valve so that the open/close valve of the one branch supply line with the larger supply quantity is opened by the switch valve.
 6. A method for supplying gas while dividing to a chamber from a gas supply facility equipped a flow controller as claimed in claim 5, wherein a pressure type flow controller is used for the flow controller.
 7. A method for supplying gas while dividing to a chamber from a gas supply facility equipped a flow controller as claimed in claim 1, wherein a pressure type flow controller is used for the flow controller. 